How often should I get my spine checked? What kind of problems might I face?

Spinal health is vital to our overall well being. The spine is responsible for protecting the delicate nervous system and keeping us upright. If something goes wrong with the spine, it can cause pain or even paralysis.

Radial Electromagnetic Shock Wave Therapy (REST) has become very popular over the last decade. This treatment uses high frequency sound waves to stimulate tissue healing. The theory behind REST is that it helps to accelerate the body’s natural healing processes. Is it effective? Does it really work?

Neck pain is one of the most common complaints among patients visiting chiropractors. Neck pain can occur due to trauma, injury, infection, inflammation, degenerative changes, or tumours. Neck pain may be caused by muscle strain, arthritis, disc herniation, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, vertebral fracture, tumour, or nerve compression.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2017–18), it is estimated about 4.0 million Australians (16% of the population) have back problems. It is also estimated that 70–90% of people will suffer from lower back pain in some form at some point in their lives.

Elbow pain is common among athletes who play sports such as tennis, baseball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, golf, hockey, lacrosse, or even bowling. The elbow joint is a hinge joint between the upper arm bone (humerus) and forearm bones (radius and ulna). This joint allows us to bend our arms at the elbows.

Ankle injuries are common in athletes, especially those who play contact sports such as basketball, soccer, or football. They can occur from twisting, spraining, or tearing ligaments. The symptoms include swelling, bruising, and stiffness.

Shoulder pain during sleep is common, especially after working out or playing sports. The shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint that connects the upper arm bone (humerus) to the body. This joint allows us to move our arms and hands freely.

TMD is a condition where the jaw joint becomes inflamed, causing pain and stiffness in the muscles surrounding the jaw. The cause of TMD is unknown, but some researchers believe it may be related to stress, poor posture, or other factors. Symptoms include headaches, neck pain, earaches, and toothaches.